Pictured (left to right) are Mike Scanlan & Kirk Savoy with Louisiana Charities Trust; Michael Whitaker, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health; Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr., Chancellor
BPCC Foundation, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from Louisiana Charities Trust to expand and enhance its noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, strengthening the College’s efforts to address Louisiana’s growing healthcare workforce shortage.
Through this investment, Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) will increase enrollment capacity, modernize curriculum, and expand simulation-based training to better prepare students for real-world clinical environments. The initiative also includes targeted outreach efforts and strengthened partnerships with hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health providers to ensure graduates are work-ready and aligned with employer needs. Over the next two years, BPCC plans to double CNA enrollment capacity, accelerating the pathway from training to employment.
Louisiana faces an urgent demand for skilled CNAs across healthcare settings. As a leading provider of workforce training, BPCC is committed to delivering short-term, high-impact programs that connect students directly to in-demand careers while supporting the healthcare needs of the region.
Representatives from Louisiana Charities Trust shared their enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are excited to work alongside Bossier Parish Community College to create meaningful pathways that address the healthcare workforce shortage in our state, and our local community” Kirk Savoy, a spokesperson for the Trust said. “By supporting programs like the CNA initiative, we are investing in practical, high-impact solutions that strengthen communities and open doors to sustainable careers for Louisiana residents.”
“This generous investment allows BPCC to directly address one of the most critical workforce challenges facing our state,” said Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr. “With the support of Louisiana Charities Trust, we are expanding access to high-quality training that leads to sustainable careers, and strengthening the pipeline of skilled professionals our hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies rely on to serve our communities.”
The expanded CNA program will not only provide students with industry-recognized credentials, but also contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of North Louisiana by increasing the number of qualified healthcare professionals entering the workforce.
For more information about BPCC’s CNA program and other healthcare training opportunities, visit bpcc.edu/CNA.